The Story of Umme Hakim (R.A.)

Umme Hakim (R.A.) was the
wife of Akrimah-bin-Abi-Jahl. She participated in the battle of Uhud on the
enemy side. She embraced Islam on the fall of Mecca. She loved her husband
very much, who would not embrace Islam, on account that his father despised
Islam. After the fall of Mecca, her husband fled to Yemen. Umme Hakim (R.A.)
secured a pardon for him from the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and joined her husband
in Yemen and induced him to return back home. She told him, "You can
be safe from the sword of Mohammad (pbuh) only when you put yourself in his
lap." She returned with him to Madinah, where Akrimah embraced Islam
and the couple began to live together happily.

They both participated
in the Syrian war during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr (RAA). During another
battle, Akrimah was killed. Umme Hakim (R.A.) was remarried to another Mujahid,
Khalid-bin-Said (RAA). It was at a place called Marja-us-Safr that her husband
wanted to meet her. She said: "We have enemy concentrating on all fronts.
We shall meet after they are done away with." Khalid-bin-Said (RAA)
said: "I am not sure if I will survive this battle." They then
shared the bed for the first time in a tent at that place. Next day, Khalid-bin-Said
(RAA) was arranging for the Walimah when the enemy attacked with full force
and he was killed in the battle.

Umme Hakim (RAA) packed
up her tent and other luggage, and with a tent-peg in her hand, jumped in
the battle and fought ferociously with the enemy till she had killed seven
of them. In times of war, not to speak of woman, but even no man would like
to get married under such circumstances. Speaking of courage and valor, instead
of mourning the loss of her husband on the day of his death, she rushed into
the battlefield and killed seven of the enemy soldiers single handed. What
could be a better proof of the strength of Imaan (faith) in the women of
those times?